From Imperialism to Multipolarity: How the World Economy Really Works

Joining us today is Dr. Radhika Desai, Professor in the Department of Political Studies and Director of the Geopolitical Economy Research Group at the University of Manitoba, Canada, to unpack the core ideas from her acclaimed book, Geopolitical Economy: After US Hegemony, Globalization, and Empire. In this episode of Business Talk, Dr. Radhika Desai takes us on an intellectually rigorous journey through her landmark framework of geopolitical economy, a bold critique of the two dominant cosmopolitan myths that have long shaped our understanding of the global order: that the world economy is unified either by free markets, or by a single dominant state. Drawing on Friedrich List, Marx, and Trotsky's concept of uneven and combined development, she challenges the foundations of both globalization theory and US hegemony, arguing instead that the real engine of international relations has always been the dialectic between imperialism and anti-imperialism. From the structural vulnerabilities of the dollar system to the rise of multipolarity, and from the failures of the left to the lessons of actually existing socialism, Dr. Desai offers a sweeping, historically grounded rethinking of how global power actually works, and what it means for the future. This podcast is brought to you by Global Management Consultancy. Disclaimer: 1. The background music incorporated in this video is the intellectual property of its respective developer and is protected under applicable copyright laws. Notwithstanding that it is a free-to-use version, Business Talk, Global Management Consultancy, and Deepak Bhatt do not own, and expressly do not claim, any rights, title, or interest in or to this music. 2. Dr. Radhika Desai shared key insights from her acclaimed book, Geopolitical Economy: After US Hegemony, Globalization, and Empire, in an engaging episode of the Business Talk podcast. The uploaded video contains copyrighted content, so changing any graphics, music, or on-screen appearance of the author or host is not allowed.